284 Andhra pilgrims still untraceable in Uttarakhand

Hyderabad: As many as 284 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh remained unaccounted for in the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.

According to a release from the State Disaster Management Commissioner`s office here today, 2,782 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh were stranded in the hill state, which was hit by heavy rains and landslides over 10 days ago.

Among them, 1,628 people have returned home safely, while 858 were reported to be safe though they have not reached their native places yet. As many as 284 pilgrims were still unaccounted for as on today, it said.

The office said yesterday that 14 people were said to have died in the northern state.

The state government has hired a helicopter for the rescue of stranded pilgrims. It has deputed IAS officers and teams of other officials to Uttarakhand and also Delhi to facilitate the safe return of the pilgrims.

The government has set up helplines at Dehradun, Delhi and also Hyderabad to help the victims.

The special officer deputed in Dehradun and Resident Commissioner of AP Bhavan in Delhi have been authorised to incur expenditure and make adequate transport arrangements for all pilgrims from AP who were rescued or airlifted.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy interacted with the pilgrims, who have returned from Uttarakhand, at the AP Bhavan yesterday.